"Excessive Authority of a Judge from Uri Law Research Association" "Highly Political Decision-Making"
Suspicion Raised That Results Were Announced to Coincide with the Workshop Timing
Song Eon-seok "Internal Opinions from Kwon Seong-dong Acting Officer Emerged"
[Asia Economy Reporters Lee Ji-eun and Geum Bo-ryeong] On the 26th, the People Power Party filed an objection to the court's partial acceptance of former leader Lee Jun-seok's injunction application. Yoo Sang-beom, a member of the National Assembly and head of the People Power Party's legal support team, strongly criticized, saying, "I believe the judge is engaging in judicial political acts," and called it "an overreach by a judge from the Uri Law Research Association."
Yoo and Song Eon-seok, the party's senior deputy floor leader, met with reporters in front of the senior deputy floor leader's office in the afternoon and said, "We filed an objection today," adding, "If it is not accepted, we will appeal to the High Court."
On the same morning, the Civil Division 51 of the Seoul Southern District Court partially accepted former leader Lee's injunction application, ordering the suspension of People Power Party Emergency Response Committee Chairman Joo Ho-young's execution of duties until the final ruling on the main case. In response, the People Power Party submitted an objection to the injunction suspension application result against former leader Lee to the Seoul Southern District Court later that afternoon.
The court's ruling is analyzed as shaking the newly launched Emergency Response Committee system to its core. Regarding this, Yoo said, "The establishment of the Emergency Response Committee itself is valid," and "Only the execution of duties by the Emergency Response Committee Chairman has been suspended; the Emergency Response Committee members remain valid."
There were also suspicions that political logic was involved, citing that the presiding judge is from the progressive-leaning 'Uri Law Research Association.' Yoo stated, "The judiciary applying judicial standards to the internal decision-making of the Standing National Committee's internal authoritative interpretation, rather than procedural defects, infringes on the constitutional value of freedom of party politics," adding, "I consider this an overreach by a judge from the Uri Law Research Association."
There are also criticisms that political intentions were involved in the timing of the injunction application result disclosure. He said, "It was clearly announced that the decision would not be made this week, but on the day the People Power Party finished its retreat, contrary to the notice, the acceptance decision was suddenly made," and added, "I believe the judge is engaging in judicial political acts."
Senior Deputy Floor Leader Song also said, "The Southern District Court even announced that the injunction decision would not be made this week," and "After a successful two-day retreat where unity was strengthened to focus on people's livelihoods and work hard for the country again, deciding to accept the injunction aligned with that timing seems like a very political decision."
Going forward, within the People Power Party, the re-transition to a 'Kwon Seong-dong acting' system is being strongly discussed due to Chairman Joo's suspension. Senior Deputy Floor Leader Song said, "There is no explicit regulation on what to do in case of an accident or vacancy of the Emergency Response Committee Chairman," and added, "According to the party's constitution and regulations, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman holds the position of party leader and performs the party leader's duties, so that regulation will be applied."
He continued, "There is an internal opinion that Floor Leader Kwon should act as the Emergency Response Committee Chairman, and within that scope, opinions will be gathered and consolidated," adding, "We will consult legal experts and external lawyers to decide, but at this stage, many believe it is reasonable for Floor Leader Kwon to act as the Emergency Response Committee Chairman."
The People Power Party plans to hold an emergency party members' meeting at the National Assembly on the afternoon of the 27th to discuss the leadership system and future responses. Senior Deputy Floor Leader Song said, "We will gather opinions until tomorrow's party members' meeting," and added, "Responding individually to each emerging position or issue could politically cause various misunderstandings and unfounded suspicions, so we will refrain from doing so."
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